2013 PROGRESS REPORT VISION 2020 AND BEYOND - Atlantica Centre for Energy
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VISION 2020 AND BEYOND 2013 PROGRESS REPORT
Table of Contents
Opening Message................................................................................................3
Population Growth..............................................................................................4
Infrastructure Growth........................................................................................7
Job Growth............................................................................................................11
Connecting Saskatchewan to the World.....................................................15
Advancing Saskatchewan’s Natural Resource and Agriculture
Advantage..............................................................................................................16
Competitiveness..................................................................................................21
Fiscal Responsibility............................................................................................25
Purpose of Growth.............................................................................................27Opening Message
The purpose of growth is to secure a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan
people. This report is a progress report on the key targets, goals and actions outlined
in the executive summary of the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth.
In the year since the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth was released, Saskatchewan has
continued to benefit from strong economic and population growth:
• Saskatchewan’s population topped the 1.1 million mark for the first time ever.
Saskatchewan’s population has grown by more than 100,000 people over the
last six years. As of July 1, 2013, Saskatchewan’s population was 1,108,303.
• Through the first nine months of 2013, the number of people working
in Saskatchewan is up by nearly 20,000, on average, compared to 2012.
Unemployment in September 2013 was 4.3 per cent - the lowest in
Canada for the ninth consecutive month. Regina and Saskatoon have the
lowest unemployment rates among Canadian cities at 3.0 and 4.4 per cent
respectively.
• Saskatoon and Regina are forecast to have the strongest economic growth
among Canadian cities in 2013 at 5.2 per cent and 5.0 per cent respectively.
The Conference Board of Canada expects the economies of both cities to
grow at three times the national average in 2013.
Over the past year, the Government of Saskatchewan has taken action to deliver on
the objectives in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth, including:
• Maintaining a balanced budget.
• Investing $847.5 million in infrastructure this year, one-third of the targeted
investment of $2.5 billion over three years, to meet the challenges of growth.
• Adding 300 new Adult Basic Education spaces to reduce the waitlist by 12 per
cent.
• Continuing to reduce surgical wait times in the province.
Moving forward, the Government of Saskatchewan will continue working on key
activities to support the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth.Population Growth
Goal: 1.2 million people living in Saskatchewan by 2020
Status:
Saskatchewan’s population topped the
1.1 million mark for the first time in
the province’s history. Saskatchewan’s
population was 1,108,303 on July 1,
2013.
Since 2007, Saskatchewan’s population
has grown by over 100,000 people. At
the current rate of population growth,
Saskatchewan is on track to reach the
goal of 1.2 million people by 2020.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Actions:
The Government of Saskatchewan is
supporting Saskatchewan’s population
growth by making our province one of
the best places in Canada to live, work,
raise a family, or to start or expand a
business.
A Strong Economy:
• Saskatchewan has the lowest
unemployment rate in Canada and an
abundance of job opportunities. In
August 2013 there were almost 18,000
job vacancies advertised on saskjobs.ca.
• As of July 2013, Saskatchewan had the second highest average weekly wage
rate among all provinces. A family of four with $50,000 income has seen their
personal income tax bill reduced by more than 90 per cent since 2007. A family
of four pays no provincial income tax on their first $47,790 of combined income -
the highest tax-free threshold in Canada.
4Second highest
Percentage ratein of
Change population
Population
• Saskatchewan families pay
growth in Canada from 2007-2013
(2007-2013) some of the lowest personal
income taxes in Canada.
15%
• Saskatchewan has the
12% 10.8%
second lowest small business
9% Canada tax in Canada.
6.7%
6%
• Saskatchewan is forecast
3%
to have the second or third
highest growth in GDP among
0
AB SK BC MB ON PE QC NL NB NS
the provinces in 2013 and the
second strongest in 2014.
Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM Table 051-0001.
*2013 population as at July 1, 2013. Retaining Youth and Attracting
More People to Saskatchewan:
• The Government of
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Saskatchewan is making
Saskatchewan the best place to
get a post-secondary education by providing more than 4,500 students with the
new Saskatchewan Advantage Scholarship in its first year.
• Young people are staying in Saskatchewan. As of March 31, 2013, approximately
$79 million in Graduate Retention Program benefits have been paid to over
40,000 graduates from the 2008 to 2011 tax years.
• Immigration through the Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program is
increasing. Over 9,000 nominees became permanent residents in Saskatchewan
in 2012, compared to 960 in 2006.
Meeting the Challenges of Growth and Building A Better Quality of Life:
• Over the last six years, the Government of Saskatchewan has added 300 more
doctors and 1,000 more nurses while reducing surgical wait times.
• Almost $120 million will be invested in K-12 education infrastructure this year
and an additional $17 million is being provided to school divisions to address
growth pressures arising from an increased school enrolment of more than 4,500
students in 2012 and 2013 combined.
5• An additional 500 licensed child care spaces will be created this year, bringing the
total number of licensed child care spaces in Saskatchewan to more than 13,700
– a 48 per cent increase since 2007.
• Crime is being reduced in Prince Albert and the successful Prince Albert
Community Mobilization crime reduction model is being expanded to more
communities.
• Saskatchewan’s provincial parks are being improved through an additional
$10 million investment in parks infrastructure over four years. Saskatchewan
Provincial Parks had another banner year with an estimated 3.679 million visits,
breaking the 2012 visitation record by 3.3 per cent. This is a 21.6 per cent
increase in visitation since 2007.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
6Infrastructure Growth
Action: Invest $2.5 billion in infrastructure over three years
Status:
Budget 2013-14 invested $847.5 million in infrastructure. This is one-third of the
targeted investment of $2.5 billion over three years. Including CIC Crowns such as
SaskPower, SaskEnergy and SaskTel, the Government of Saskatchewan has invested
$13.2 billion in infrastructure since 2008 - a 110 per cent increase over the previous six
years.
$13.2 billion in capital spending since 2008 Actions:
$14 $13.2 The Government
of Saskatchewan
$12
increased
$10 infrastructure
$7.5
investment by 7.6
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
$8
$6.3
Capital Spending in per cent increase
CIC Crown Corps
$6 GRF and TB Crown
in the 2013-14
$3.5 Capital Spending Budget. Crown
$4
$5.7 corporations will
$2 invest approximately
$2.8
$1.9 billion this
0
2002-2007 2008-2013 year to ensure
Saskatchewan’s
infrastructure is
ready for growth.
Investing in Infrastructure and Planning for Growth:
• The 2013-14 Budget provided over $500 million to build, maintain and operate
Saskatchewan’s highway system this year, including a $281 million highway
construction budget. Construction investments include:
○○$86.3 million to repave 280 km of highways;
○○$25.5 million to rural municipalities through the Municipal Roads for the
Economy Program; and
○○$64 million for economic corridors such as the Regina West Bypass, the
Estevan Bypass, passing lanes on Highway 10 and completion of the
Highway 11 twinning to Prince Albert.
7• Amendments to The Planning and Development Act give government the tools
to help build regional partnerships by providing the ability to create regional
planning authorities.
• This year, $25.5 million in capital funding has been provided to the province’s
post-secondary institutions.
Crown Infrastructure Investment:
• SaskTel is expanding 4G cell coverage and broadband internet access throughout
rural Saskatchewan.
• In 2013, SaskEnergy is projected to connect more than 6,200 new customers.
• SaskPower will invest over $1.3 billion in 2013 to renew and upgrade
Saskatchewan’s electrical infrastructure.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Action: Invest $344 million to add 12,600 new housing units by
2016
Status:
Budget 2013-14 includes almost $29 million to support the development of 605 beds
for post-secondary students, construction of nearly 1,800 affordable homes and social
housing units and the repair of another 275 existing affordable housing units.
In 2012 there were 9,968 housing starts in Saskatchewan, which is the highest number
of housing starts in any single year since the 1970s. There were 1,072 rental starts in
2012, a greater number of units than in the years 2002-2009 combined.
Actions:
• $6 million to assist in the construction of 1,300 new rental units through the
Rental Construction Initiative.
• $1.2 million to fund development of 240 new homeownership units through the
Affordable Home Ownership Program.
• Construction of 140 new government-subsidized rental units through the
federal/provincial Rental Development and Capital Rent Subsidy Programs.
8Over 1,200 completed housing units • $10 million investment in a new
received Sask Housing Corp funding student residence at the University of
in 2012 Regina that will provide housing for
1400
605 students.
1218
1200
1025 • Construction of 40 new homes
1000
through $2 million provided to Habitat
800 for Humanity.
678
600 543
408
400 323 320 • $1 million to support the creation
200 165 199
of 70 secondary suites.
0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 • $3.2 million invested to repair 275
existing affordable housing units to
Source: Sask Housing Corporation
keep them viable.
• As of the end of August 2013, the
Over 1,900 rental starts in 2012 and 2013 HeadStart on a Home program has
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
provided more than $193 million in
Rental Starts Vacancy Rate %
construction financing to create 1,159
1200
5.3
6.0 entry-level homes.
1000 4.5 5.0
4.1 Vacancy Rate
3.9
800
3.3
3
4.0 • As of September 2013,
600
2.2 2.3
3.0 SaskHousing has sold 22 government-
1.9
400
1.2 1.2
1.5 2.0 owned housing units in Regina and
200 1.0 anticipates the sale of eight additional
0
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013f
0.0 units by the end of December 2013.
Proceeds from the sale of these units
have been invested in the creation of
Source: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation
48 new rental units with construction
f - Forecast
expected to start in early October
2013.
Action: Create SaskBuilds and transfer $150 million into a new
SaskBuilds Fund to drive innovation in infrastructure financing,
design and delivery, including public-private partnerships
Status:
SaskBuilds was established in October 2012. $166.5 million is earmarked in the Growth
and Financial Security Fund for growth, including the $150 million commitment to be
utilized by SaskBuilds.
9Actions:
• SaskBuilds is exploring innovative ways, such as public-private partnerships, or
P3s, to deliver large, high-cost infrastructure projects that must be delivered
in a timely manner to support growth and a better quality of life. SaskBuilds is
working with government ministries on the following infrastructure projects:
New School Construction:
• Exploring innovative design and construction models for new schools.
Saskatchewan Hospital in North Battleford:
• The Prairie North Health Region has begun its Lean 3P work involving patients,
families and staff to ensure the new hospital will allow health providers to best
serve patients, both from a design and programming standpoint. SaskBuilds, the
Ministry of Health and Corrections and Policing are working together to explore
the potential benefits of a joint public-private partnership to build two new
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
facilities – a mental health hospital and an integrated corrections facility.
Regina Bypass:
• Construction of the Regina bypass will be the single largest highways project
in the history of the province. The project is urgently needed to facilitate the
continued growth of the Global Transportation Hub and to deal with safety and
other issues caused by rapid growth and congestion.
Swift Current Long-Term Care Facility:
• The Government of Saskatchewan and the Cypress Health Region are moving
forward with plans to build a new long-term care facility in Swift Current.
SaskBuilds is managing a P3 Design, Build, Finance and Maintain procurement
process for this project. The Cypress Health Region will maintain full ownership
of the facility and will operate all aspects of the health care provided within the
facility.
10Job Growth
Goal: 60,000 more people working in Saskatchewan by 2020
Status:
The number of people working in Saskatchewan is up by nearly 20,000, on average,
through the first nine months of 2013.
Unemployment in September 2013 was 4.3 per cent – the lowest in Canada for the ninth
consecutive month. At the current rate of employment growth, Saskatchewan is on
track to exceed the target in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth of 60,000 more people
employed by 2020.
Regina and Saskatoon have the lowest unemployment rates among Canadian cities at
3.0 and 4.4 per cent respectively.
Off-reserve Aboriginal employment grew by 4,800 or 12.3 per cent between September
2012 and September 2013, while Aboriginal unemployment dropped from 14.6 per cent
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
to 12.0 per cent over the same period.
Record job growth in 2013 Actions:
More Training, Education and Skills
575,000 Development:
555,000
535,000 • An additional 300 apprenticeship
515,000 spaces were added in Budget
495,000 2013-14. Since 2007, the number
475,000 of apprenticeship training seats
435,000 has increased by 68 per cent and
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013*
the number of apprenticeship
completions has doubled.
Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM Table 282-0002.
* YTD - Average monthly employment, January to September 2013
• In 2012-13, the Saskatchewan
post-secondary system supported
approximately 73,000 learners. The
Government of Saskatchewan has invested $4.6 billion in students and the post-
secondary system since 2008.
11Second-highest employment growth in Increased Employment Opportunities
Canada from 2007 to 2013 for First Nation and Métis People:
12%
• Northern Career Quest will
10%
10.2% provide 800 jobs over the next two
8% years for Aboriginal people.
Canada
6% 5.3%
4% • The Work Readiness Employment
2% Development Initiatives received a
0 $1.5 million increase in the 2013-14
AB SK PE NL MB QC ON BC NS NB
Budget to accelerate essential skills
training and increase employment
Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM Table 282-0002. opportunities for First Nation and
* YTD - Monthly data January to September 2013 Métis people.
• The Government of Saskatchewan is supporting greater access to employment
by First Nation youth by paying for on-reserve driver education training.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
• The number of First Nation and Métis journeyperson certifications has doubled
since 2007.
Promoting Opportunities in Saskatchewan:
• The Government of Saskatchewan will undertake four national and four
international job fairs in 2013-2014, with a focus on attracting immigrants to fill
jobs where Saskatchewan is currently experiencing a labour shortage.
• New job matching features have been added to the SaskJobs website to better
target a job seeker’s occupational skills with job vacancies.
Action: Increase the cap on provincial immigrant nominees from
4,000 to 6,000
Status:
The Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP) received approval from the
federal government for an additional 450 nominations in March 2013, bringing the
annual nomination level to 4,450. The increase is expected to result in more than 1,200
additional newcomers to Saskatchewan.
12Growth in immigration through the SINP The allocation of an additional
450 nominees to Saskatchewan
represents 27 per cent of the
10,000 9,019 additional nominees allocated by the
9,000
8,000 Principal applicants federal government across Canada as
7,000 Spouses/dependants
5,250
a whole in 2013.
6,000 Total
5,000
3,769
4,000
3,000
Actions:
2,000
1,000
0 In addition to pressing the
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
Government of Canada for increases
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada, 2013 to the SINP, the Government of
Saskatchewan is increasing support
services for new Canadians and
working with post-secondary
institutions to increase the number of
international students studying in Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
• Budget 2013-14 provided an additional $1.5 million for immigrant settlement
services such as language training.
• As of December 1, 2012 there were 5,675 international foreign students, an
increase of 2,158 since 2007.
Action: Eliminate the wait list for Adult Basic Education
programs by the end of the government’s current term
34 per cent increase in ABE seats Status:
since 2007-08
An additional 300 Adult Basic Education
7,880
(ABE) spaces were funded in Budget
7,580 7,580 2013-14, bringing total funding for ABE
7,230 to $22.9 million this year and reducing
the waitlist from 2,120 to 1,875 – a 12
per cent decrease.
6,240
5,880
5,990
Actions:
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 • The 300 additional ABE seats added
in the 2013-14 Budget brings the total
13
Source: Ministry of the Economy, Labour Market Division
number of ABE seats to 7,880 – a 34 per
cent increase since 2007-08.ABE waitlist reduced by 12 per cent in • Work is underway to redesign ABE
2013-14 programs to better meet the needs of
students and employers:
3,500
3,000 ○○For adults with low literacy and
2,500 significant skills gaps, new Essential
2,000
1,500
Current
1,875 Skills for the Workplace programming
1,000 will ensure that participants are
500
Target
provided with basic employment
0
20
03
-04
20
04
-05
20
05
-06
20
06
-07
20
07
-08
20
08
-09
20
09
-10
20
10
-11
20
11
-12
20
12
-13
20
13
-14
* 0
skills, literacy and personal
development programming.
Source: Ministry of the Economy, Labour Market Division
○○New online and distance delivery
course options are being pursued to
improve access to ABE for northern
and remote learners close to major resource projects and create an
alternate pathway to ABE.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
○○Specific skills training programming is being offered to prepare individuals
for immediate job placement.
• New reporting will be established to track program completion rates,
employment rates after program completion, and satisfaction from both
students and new employers. In addition, a new common methodology has been
developed with all institutions to provide better access for individuals seeking
ABE programs.
• The provincial government will work with institutions such as regional colleges
to more effectively target resources to areas with the greatest demand among
learners and employers.
Action: Create the Saskatchewan International Future
Scholarship
Status:
The Saskatchewan International Future Scholarship is under development for the
2014-15 Budget. The scholarship will provide up to 20 Saskatchewan students annually
with the opportunity to study business internationally if they commit to return to
Saskatchewan after they graduate.
14Connecting Saskatchewan to the World
Goal: Grow trade and investment and double the value of export
sales by 2020
Status:
Saskatchewan exports increased from $29.6 billion in 2011 to $32.6 billion in 2012 –
a 10 per cent increase.
Record Saskatchewan exports in 2012 Actions:
• Funding of more
$32.6
$29.6 $29.6 than $3.4 million to the
Saskatchewan Export and
$23.7
$21.8 Trade Partnership (STEP)
$19.8
$16.4 this year to provide export
$14.9
$13.5 readiness services to
$11.3 $10.4
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Saskatchewan companies
and undertake trade
missions. In 2013, STEP will
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 undertake 42 trade missions
encompassing 27 countries.
Source: Industry Canada, Trade Data Online
• The Government of Saskatchewan will engage in 30 national and international
investment attraction missions, including missions to key markets such as
Europe, India, United States, China and Japan, to assist exporters to enhance
their business presence in countries with significant growth potential and attract
investment in the agricultural, oil and gas, mining, forestry and manufacturing
sectors.
• Building trade relationships with members of the Association of Southeast Asia
Nations (ASEAN) region. Saskatchewan exports more goods to the ASEAN region
than any other province and it is Saskatchewan’s third largest export market.
• In October 2013, Premier Wall paid his second visit to Singapore and his first visit
to the Philippines. The Philippines is the second fastest growing economy in the
ASEAN region.
• Advocating in the United States for construction of the Keystone XL pipeline,
which will allow Saskatchewan to export more oil and bring economic benefits to
the province while promoting innovative energy development in Saskatchewan 15
such as clean coal technology.Advancing Saskatchewan’s Natural
Resource and Agricultural Advantage
Goal: Saskatchewan is a global leader in food and energy
security and innovation by 2020
Status:
Saskatchewan remains a leader in Canada and the world in natural resource and
agricultural production. The Government of Saskatchewan is taking action to further
diversify the province’s natural resource base and add value to its energy, mining and
food resource sectors, particularly through innovation.
Actions:
Developing Saskatchewan’s Energy and Mineral Resources
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Almost 13 per cent of oil produced in 2012 • In 2012, Saskatchewan was
used Enhanced Recovery Techniques amongst the largest mining
jurisdictions in Canada with
14%
12.9%
mineral production of $7.45
13% billion.
12%
11% • Saskatchewan is maintaining
10% its place as the number two
9% supplier of oil in Canada and is
8% increasing production. Crude
7%
oil production in the province
6% 1997
reached a record 172.9 million
1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009 2011
barrels in 2012, an increase
Source:Source:
Ministry of the Economy
Ministry of the Economy of more than seven per cent
from the previous record of 161
million barrels set in 2008.
• Implementing a new, more competitive uranium royalty structure in Budget
2013-2014.
• Deploying Process Renewal and Infrastructure Management Enhancement
(PRIME) to better manage royalties and lease information and make submitting
requests easier for the oil industry.
16 • Reviewing surface rights practices and legislation.Innovating Around Saskatchewan’s Natural Resources
• Providing more than $55.1 million over seven years to increase innovation in
energy and minerals through the Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear
Innovation, University of Saskatchewan Cyclotron and other research projects
and organizations.
• Investing $1.7 million in the development of the International Minerals
Innovation Institute.
• Investing $6.4 million in 2013-2014 to continue research in new approaches to
enhanced oil recovery.
• The Carbon Capture and Storage project at Boundary Dam Power Station near
Estevan will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from an existing power station by
up to 90 per cent or approximately one million tonnes per year – the equivalent
of taking more than 250,000 cars off the road annually.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Action: Increase exports of agricultural and food products from
$10 billion in 2011 to $15 billion by 2020
$11.2 billion in agri-food exports in 2012 Status:
In 2012, Saskatchewan’s
agriculture exports climbed
$12
$11.2 to $11.2 billion, an increase
$10
$9.3
of almost 10 per cent from
$10.2
2011. The $11.2 billion in
$8
$8.3 $8.3 agri-food exports in 2012 is
$6
$6.4
a 32 per cent increase over
the five-year average of $8.5
$4.9
$4
billion.
$3.8 $3.7
$2
For the first six months
$0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 of 2013, Saskatchewan’s
agriculture exports were $6.1
Source: Statistics Canada billion, an increase of 13 per
cent compared to the same
period in 2012.
17In 2011, Saskatchewan overtook Ontario as the top agri-food exporting province and
maintained this position in 2012. Saskatchewan now accounts for 23.5 per cent of total
national agri-food exports. The top five export destinations for Saskatchewan products
are the United States, China, Japan, Mexico and India.
Actions:
• Established the Market Development Program under Growing Forward 2, which
will provide $9 million over five years to support international and domestic
market development activities of Saskatchewan agri-businesses. In 2013-14,
$1.6 million is budgeted to conduct these activities.
• Participated in the Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Annual Summit
in Alaska delivering a strong advocacy message to United States legislators on
concerns with country-of-origin labeling.
• Established a new value-added unit in the Ministry of Agriculture to attract
investment and work with companies interested in processing Saskatchewan-
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
grown grains, oilseeds and livestock.
• Collaborated with Alberta and B.C. under the New West Partnership in a trade
mission to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai and South Korea.
• Conducted a mission to Singapore and Indonesia focusing on market
development activities and investment attraction.
• Conducted a U.S. trade mission focusing on market development, investment
attraction and trade policy.
• Delivered programming such as the Saskatchewan Agri-Value Initiative and the
Saskatchewan LEAN Improvements in Manufacturing to assist Saskatchewan
agri-businesses in improving productivity, increasing efficiency and enhancing
processing capacity. Under Growing Forward 2, these programs will provide
$16.5 million over five years, including $2.9 million budgeted in 2013-14 to
conduct these activities.
18Action: Increase crop production by 10 million tonnes by 2020
Status:
Crop production reached 26.4 million tonnes in 2012. Producers are expected to harvest
a record crop of well over 30 million tonnes in 2013.
Seeded acreage is estimated at 35.5 million acres for 2013, an increase of 2.3 per cent
from 2012. Summerfallow acreage is estimated at 2.4 million acres for 2013, a decline
of 56 per cent from the five-year average.
Crop production expected to exceed Actions:
30 million tonnes
36
• Launched Growing Forward
34.3
34
2 (GF 2), a federal-provincial
policy and program framework.
32
In Saskatchewan, GF2 will invest
30
$388 million in strategic initiatives
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
28
over five years – an increase of
26
24.7
more than $25 million per year
24
over the previous framework.
22
20
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013* • The 2013-14 agriculture
research budget is a record $27.7
Source: Statistics Canada million, an increase of 104 per
* Forecast
cent since 2007-08.
• Invested $3 million for the first year of a seven-year $15 million commitment to
establish the Global Institute for Food Security.
• Committed $5 million over five years to Canadian Wheat Flagship Strategic
Alliance Agreement leveraging $92 million in additional research activity from
the Crop Development Centre, National Research Council and Agriculture and
Agri-Food Canada to develop new and improved varieties for Saskatchewan
producers.
• Continued to improve the Crop Insurance program for producers, including
record funding and coverage levels. On average, coverage levels have more than
doubled since 2007.
• Established Saskatchewan Wheat and Barley Development Commissions enabling
Saskatchewan producers to invest $5 million annually in check-off dollars for
research, marketing and promotion. 19A record $27.7 million investment in • An additional $9 million was
agriculture research in 2013-14 allocated to the irrigation district
component of the Farm and Ranch
$30
Water Infrastructure Program in
$27.7
2012, resulting in the development
of infrastructure capacity to
$25
support an additional 6,750 acres of
irrigation.
$20
• Under GF 2, additional
$15
infrastructure capacity will be
developed to support a further
$13.6
11,500 acres of irrigation over five
$10
20
04
-05
20
05
-06
20
06
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years; increasing crop production
and contributing to the growth of
Source: Ministry of Agriculture livestock production, value-added
activity and the achievement of
export targets.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
• The Ministry of Agriculture is developing a Professional Ag Operators Training
Program to address the sector’s labour and skills needs.
20Competitiveness
Goal: Saskatchewan’s economy wll remain amongst the most
competitive in Canada in 2020
Status:
Saskatchewan continues to experience strong economic growth and private sector
investment. Saskatchewan is forecast to have the second or third highest GDP growth
among the provinces in 2013 and the second strongest in 2014. Saskatchewan
experienced the highest growth in real GDP of all provinces between 2007 and 2012.
• Saskatoon and Regina are forecast to have the strongest economic growth
among Canadian cities in 2013, at 5.2 per cent and 5 per cent respectively. The
Conference Board of Canada expects the economies of both cities to grow at
three times the national average in 2013.
• Saskatchewan’s manufacturing sales increased 6.3 per cent in July over the same
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
period in 2012. This is the largest year-over-year percentage increase among the
provinces. Manufacturing sales for the first seven months of 2013 were up 5.8
per cent.
• Private sector capital investment, a standard indicator of a jurisdiction’s
competitiveness, has grown from $9.9 billion in 2007 to a projected $17 billion in
2013 – a 70 per cent increase.
$17 billion in private sector capital Actions:
investment expected in 2013
Removing Red Tape
$20
• The Regulatory
$15 Modernization and
Accountability Act was passed
$10 in the spring of 2013. The
legislation requires annual
$5
reporting of the regulations
$0
reviewed and progress towards
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
* **
reducing the burden and cost of
Source: Statistics Canada, CANSIM Table 029 0005 regulation. Within 10 years, all
* Preliminary business-related regulations will
** Intentions
be reviewed.
21• 77 changes were undertaken to modernize Saskatchewan’s liquor regulations.
Employment and Labour Environment
• The Saskatchewan Employment Act was passed in spring 2013, consolidating 12
pieces of labour legislation into one updated and comprehensive act.
• While incidents of workplace injury are still too high, the time loss injury rate in
Saskatchewan is at its lowest level in 20 years.
Creating a Competitive Investment Climate
• The uranium royalty regime was improved in Budget 2013-2014 to encourage
capital investment and growth in the uranium industry, which is the largest
employer of First Nation people in Saskatchewan.
• Saskatchewan continues to maintain a stable royalty regime and a competitive
tax and regulatory environment.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
• The Mineral Administration Registry Saskatchewan (MARS) program allows
companies to stake claims online, reducing administrative burden and allowing
companies to focus on exploration. 1,035 claims covering over three million
hectares have been issued since the implementation of MARS in 2012, saving
industry $30 to $33 million in on-site staking costs.
Tourism
• The government of Saskatchewan has provided financial support for major
events such as the Junos, Grey Cup and Memorial Cup and will introduce a new
event hosting strategy.
Action: Lower the incorporated business tax rate from 12 per
cent to 10 per cent.
Status:
A decision to reduce the corporate business tax rate from 12 per cent to 10 per cent will
be revisited during the preparation of the 2014-15 Budget to determine whether it is
affordable within a balanced budget.
22Saskatchewan has the second-lowest Actions:
small business tax rate in Canada
Saskatchewan’s overall
18%
16%
tax and royalty regime
14%
remains competitive with
12%
other provinces.
10%
8% • Saskatchewan
6% continues to maintain a
4% balanced budget on a GRF
2% and Summary financial
0 reporting basis.
BC AB SK MB ON QC NB NS PE NL
General 11.0% 10.0% 12.0% 12.0% 11.5% 11.9% 12.0% 16.0% 16.0% 14.0%
M&P 11.0% 10.0% 10.0% 12.0% 10.0% 11.9% 12.0% 16.0% 16.0% 5.0%
Small Business 2.5% 3.0% 2.0% 0.0% 4.5% 8.0% 4.5% 3.5% 4.5% 4.0% • Saskatchewan is tied
with Alberta and Ontario
Source: Ministry of the Economy, Economic Development
for the second lowest tax
rate on manufacturing
and processing.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Annual income tax savings for a family of • Saskatchewan has
four since 2007 the second lowest small
$2,500 business tax rate in
$2,000
$2,095
Canada.
$1,500
$1,000 • Saskatchewan does
$500 not impose a provincial
0
payroll tax or health
SK NL ON NB AB MB BC NS PE QC
$-500
premiums.
$-1,000
• A family of four pays
Source: Ministry of Finance no Saskatchewan income
Savings based on a family of four earning $50,000.
tax on their first $47,790
of income - the highest
tax-free income threshold
for a family of four in
Canada.
• Tax savings by Saskatchewan residents include:
○○$300 million in reduced provincial income taxes since 2008. Reductions in
provincial income taxes have removed 114,000 low-income Saskatchewan
residents from the tax rolls.
23○○Small businesses have saved an estimated $80 million in annual taxes
since the small business tax rate was reduced to two per cent in 2011.
○○Education property taxes have been reduced by over $165 million, or 22
per cent, since 2009.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
24Fiscal Responsibility
Action: Continue to balance the Budget every year
Status:
The 2013-14 Budget is balanced on a GRF and Summary Financial basis, with a pre-
transfer surplus of $33 million forecast for the General Revenue Fund.
Action: Maintain a target amount of $500 million in the Growth
and Financial Security Fund with any excess amounts used to
invest in infrastructure and reduce debt
Status:
The Growth and Financial Security Fund has a $682.8 million balance, with $516.3
million of that amount reserved for security and $166.5 million reserved for growth.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Goal: Cut the provincial debt in half from its 2007 level by 2017
Status:
The Government of Saskatchewan will make progress towards an additional $400 million
in debt reduction by 2017 as it is affordable within a balanced budget. Under the Growth
and Financial Security Act, half of all surpluses go to reduce debt.
Actions: Second lowest debt to GDP ratio in
Canada
• Since 2007, government
debt has been reduced by 60%
$3 billion, or 44 per cent. 52.2
50%
This has saved taxpayers 39.8 40.5
40% 37.4
approximately $600 million 32.2
35.3
in interest costs. 30%
20% 17.0 19.3
• As of March 31st of this 10% 6.0
year, Saskatchewan’s 1.2
0
tax-supported debt as a AB SK NL BC MB NB NS PE ON QC
percentage of GDP was
just six percent— the Source: DBRS; Statistics Canada; Conference Board of Canada 25
second-lowest level amongst
provinces, behind only
Alberta.Action: Deliver a targeted 15 per cent reduction in the size of the
public service by 2013-2014
Status:
The four year plan to reduce the size of the public service is on track to be completed in
2014.
Public service as a percentage of the Actions:
population is declining
In the 2010-11 Budget, the
Government of Saskatchewan
1.25%
announced a plan to reduce the
size of the public service by 15 per
cent. To date:
1.12%
1.1% • More than 1,900 positions have
been eliminated or identified for
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
elimination since the commitment
1.00%
was made in 2010-11.
2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13
• These changes have resulted in
Source: Ministry of Finance
cumulative annual savings of more
than $198 million over the four-
year period, allowing government
to redirect savings to priority areas.
• At the same time, government has addressed new service demands in priority
areas by establishing 127 positions in new or expanded front-line roles such as
child protection workers and corrections staff.
• The public service has diminished as a percentage of the population each year
since 2007-08.
26Purpose of Growth
Goal: Building a better quality of life for Saskatchewan people
Growth in our province is providing the financial resources to make significant
investments to improve the quality of life for Saskatchewan citizens and address the
challenges that accompany growth.
Investing in Infrastructure to Address the Challenges of Growth
• Almost $120 million will be invested in 2013-14 to improve school infrastructure,
including 21 ongoing major school capital projects, two new projects at
Gravelbourg and Langenburg and 15 new pre-kindergarten programs.
• Since November 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed more
than $620 million toward 43 major school capital projects and approximately
900 smaller school capital projects across the province. More than 65 per cent
of Saskatchewan’s schools have been repaired, renovated or built in the last six
years.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
• $27 million has been committed this year to introduce 36 new relocatable
classrooms and support up to 70 smaller maintenance projects.
• 500 new child care spaces will be created this year, bringing the total number of
licensed child care spaces in Saskatchewan to more than 13,700 – a 48 per cent
increase since 2007.
• Investments in post-secondary infrastructure this year include $4 million for a
total $17 million investment in Southeast Regional College, $1 million to begin
planning activities for a new Trades and Technology Centre at Parkland Regional
College in Yorkton and $10 million for the construction of a new University of
Regina student residence.
• This year over $70 million is being invested for new long-term care (LTC) facilities
in Biggar, Kelvington, Kerrobert, Kipling, Maple Creek and Prince Albert and
$15.9 million for LTC facilities already underway in Radville, Redvers, Rosetown,
Shellbrook and Tisdale. This is part of an overall $237.5 million commitment to
construct 13 new LTC facilities.
• Construction of the Moose Jaw Hospital is underway.
27Addressing the Needs of a Growing Population:
• Funding for K-12 education increased by 6.7 per cent this year. In addition, the
Government of Saskatchewan provided an increase of $17 million to school
divisions to address growth pressures created by increasing enrolment of more
than 4,500 students in 2012 and 2013 combined.
• Operating funding to universities has increased by 50 per cent over the last six
years.
• Increased funding of $132 million to regional health authorities this year includes
$29 million to address increased usage of health care services because of
Saskatchewan’s growing population.
• Monthly benefit increases to the Seniors Income Plan, monthly increases to the
Personal Care Home Benefit and additional funding this year to improve care and
address infrastructure challenges in long-term care (LTC) facilities.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
More Support for the Most Vulnerable and Making Saskatchewan the Best Place in
Canada for Persons with Disabilities:
• This year, an additional $7 million is being provided to agencies that provide
services and support to children in care and their families.
• Over 11,000 individuals with disabilities enrolled in the Saskatchewan Assured
Income for Disability (SAID) program will see increases to benefits this year.
• This year, children and youth with autism will see increases in direct client
service hours ranging from 100 to 750 per cent across provincial health regions.
Building Safer Communities:
• Since the implementation of Prince Albert community mobilization model in
2011, crime rates have fallen significantly in that city. Since 2011:
○○Overall crime rate has decreased by 18 per cent;
○○Violent crime rate has decreased by 38 per cent; and
○○Property crime rate has decreased by 20 per cent.
28• Significant expansion of the HUB model has taken place throughout
Saskatchewan. To date there are six active community mobilization models
across the province: Prince Albert, Yorkton, LaRonge, North Battleford, Moose
Jaw and the Weyburn/Estevan region.
• Increased funding for women’s shelters to expand two facilities in Regina and
Prince Albert and the opening of a new transition house in Melfort – the first
new transition house in Saskatchewan since 1989.
• New measures to reduce speeding in construction zones on Saskatchewan
highways and improve traffic safety.
Protecting the Environment
• Creating the largest provincially-designated ecological reserve in Saskatchewan.
The new protected area north of LaRonge is 3,660 square kilometres –
approximately two-thirds the size of Prince Edward Island.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Action: Reduce surgical wait times to no more than three
months by 2014
Status:
As of July 31, 2013, 80 per cent of patients were receiving surgery within three months
of their referral from a surgeon and 91 per cent within six months. Nine out of 10 health
regions are providing surgeries to more than 90 per cent of their patients within six
months and are on track to reach the goal of reducing surgical wait times to no more
than three months by 2014.
There were 6,105 patients waiting more than three months for surgery as of July 31.
This is a decrease of 61 per cent (or 9,237 fewer patients) compared to the start of the
initiative in April 2010 when more than 15,000 patients were waiting more than three
months for surgery.
After earlier setbacks, the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region (RQHR) has made major
strides recently, reducing the number of patients waiting more than three months for
surgery by 32 per cent. RQHR is on track to reduce surgical wait times to no more than
three months by 2015.
29Surgical wait times in Saskatchewan have Actions:
been significantly reduced since 2010
• The province has
patients waiting more 3 months
20,000 patients waiting more 6 months committed $70.5
million to improve
15,000 15,357 15,342 access to surgery in
the 2013-14 fiscal
10,000 10,635
9,876 year, resulting in a
5,000 6,105 seven per cent boost
2,790
in the number of
0
Nov. 1, 2007 April 1, 2010 July 31, 2013
surgeries performed
so far this year. About
Source: Ministry of Health 89,000 surgeries
will be performed in
Saskatchewan this
year, an increase of
7,000 from last year.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Action: Eliminate wait times in emergency rooms by 2017
Status:
The Ministry of Health has established a project team and advisory group to lead this
effort, including members of the Health Quality Council, clinical experts in geriatrics and
emergency medicine and representatives from key health regions. In 2014, the project
team will be announcing a province-wide implementation strategy building on the
results of the regional improvement initiatives highlighted below.
Actions:
Thirty regional improvement initiatives have already begun across the province
specifically focused on key patient issues that impact wait times in ERs. Examples of the
results of these initiatives include:
• A 58 per cent reduction in ER wait times at Royal University Hospital (RUH) in
Saskatoon for cardiac patients.
• A 90 per cent reduction in the amount of time ambulance drivers/EMTs spend
in handing patients over to the emergency room team at St. Paul’s Hospital in
Saskatoon.
30• A 33 per cent decrease in low urgency patients presenting at the Meadow Lake
ER as a result of a Primary Health Care innovation site in that community offering
patients better access to a team of health professionals.
• A 47 per cent reduction in ER admission time in Prince Albert Parkland Health
Region.
• A 50 per cent reduction in the time it takes for a patient to be taken to X-ray in
the Regina Qu’Appelle Health Region when an ER has ordered an X-ray.
The Government of Saskatchewan continues to take action to increase the number of
doctors and nurses working in Saskatchewan and deliver innovative models of primary
health care:
• The number of physicians practicing in Saskatchewan has grown by more than
300 over the last six years.
• Over the last six years, Saskatchewan has seen an increase of 1,000 new nurses.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
• The first Collaborative Emergency Centre (CEC) was opened in Maidstone in
September 2013, offering extended hours of primary health care and 24/7
emergency care. Additional CECs will be opening in other sites in the province in
the coming months. In Nova Scotia, CECs have resulted in a 92 per cent reduction
in temporary suspensions of services in ERs at that province’s seven CEC sites.
Action: Reduce the difference in graduation rates between
aboriginal and non-aboriginal students by 50 per cent by 2020
and lead the country in Grade 12 graduation rates by 2020
Status:
Saskatchewan ranks eighth amongst provinces in high school completion, with 68 per
cent of all Grade 10 students completing high school within three years.
In Saskatchewan, 30 per cent of Grade 10 First Nation and Métis students complete
Grade 12 within three years versus 83 per cent of non-aboriginal students.
Actions:
The Government of Saskatchewan is moving forward with a Student First Agenda that
will involve consultations with students, teachers and stakeholders throughout the 31education system to improve results and the school experience for Saskatchewan
students. The following initiatives are underway to support the Student First Agenda and
achieve the goals in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth.
Investing in School Infrastructure and Addressing the Challenges of Growth:
• This year’s budget increased funding by 6.7 per cent, including an increase of $17
million for enrolment increases of more than 4,500 students in 2012 and 2013
combined.
• An additional $119.6 million in capital funding is being invested in schools this
year, an increase of $7.2 million or 6.4 per cent from 2012-13.
Increasing Student Achievement by Improving School Readiness:
• Evidence shows that early childhood literacy skills are a significant determinant
of future success in schools. To help teachers and parents identify which children
(aged three to six) may require additional assistance in transitioning to school, an
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
Early Years Evaluation (EYE) is being expanded throughout the province.
○○EYE assesses a child’s readiness for school which assists teachers to
organize their instruction, increase learning time and monitor each
child’s progress. This year, 6,105 or 33 per cent of pre-kindergarten and
kindergarten students participated in EYE and all schools will implement
EYE by September 2014.
Increasing Student Achievement by Providing More Educational Supports for
Vulnerable Children and Children with Additional Needs:
• Budget 2013-14 provided an additional $1.6 million for 15 additional pre-
kindergarten programs that support vulnerable children and their families. Since
2007, 146 new pre-kindergarten programs have been created – a 94 per cent
increase.
• A total of $268 million is being provided this year to school divisions for Supports
for Learning which is directed to classroom supports such as:
○○Education Assistants;
○○English as an Additional Language; and
○○Psychological services, speech-language services and occupational and
physical therapy services.
32Increasing Student Achievement By Listening to Students and Teachers to Improve
Student Engagement
• Last year, 74,670 students and 4,225 teachers from 27 school divisions and 320
schools in Saskatchewan participated in the Tell Them From Me Survey, an online,
anonymous survey which provides students and teachers in grades 4 to 12 an
opportunity to provide feedback on their school experience and which in turn
helps teachers, schools and school divisions to identify and deliver improvements
in their schools. This year, 90,000 to 100,000 students in Saskatchewan will
participate in the survey.
Saskatchewan Plan for Growth - Progress Report
33www.gov.sk.ca
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